New Cfi

[tataki]

Hi to everyone
I got my cfi ticket end of February, and just interviewed for a job.
I just wanted to know if you cfi people out there would have some advices for new starters like me. it would be very appreciated.
After my flight check, she told me, it was hard to understand me when I was getting excited in the airplane. I think, a little confidence will help.
Thanks for your advices.

 

[ChiFlyer]

Im a rather new CFI myself but the best advice that has been given to me that I can pass on is study hard and realize that its going to take around 200 hrs dual given before you figure out how to effectively teach. Also don't forget your F.O.I., probably the most important but overlooked area by most CFI's.

And learn as much as you can by shadowing more experienced instructors.

 

[stupidwork]

yeah I still consider myself new, but I have to agree you will feel like you suck at your job untill about 200hrs. Study study study... just because you have the ticket you still have to study to stay ahead of the game.

 

[stupidwork]

As far as teaching in the airplane just teach things how you were taught.

 

[banned username 2]

Hi to everyone
I got my cfi ticket end of February, and just interviewed for a job.
I just wanted to know if you cfi people out there would have some advices for new starters like me. it would be very appreciated.
After my flight check, she told me, it was hard to understand me when I was getting excited in the airplane. I think, a little confidence will help.
Thanks for your advices.

I was a full time CFI for nearly 3 years & 1,600+ hours of dual given... Here is some advice I can give you regarding just starting out...

Don't feel like you have to have the answer to every question, you won't... But put in the effort to find the answer for your student (and yourself)... Don't BS your students, they will know and lose confidence in you...

Don't stop studying just because your checkrides are over, they are really just beginning... Every student is a checkride in themselves... Be prepared for each lesson...

Realize each student comes from very different backgrounds... What works for one may not work for another... Always try to take them from their "known" to the unknown... Relate flying aspects to things they are familiar with... It will help them bridge the gap into what they may feel is the "mysterious world" of flight...

Always have a valid explantation for what you are doing, "Just because" or "We always do it that way" isn't reason enough for a new pilot... They need to know "why"...

Always speak very clearly and try to use the same phrases/terminology for the same things each time you discuss them, don't keep changing the game on your students... Be as consistent/predictable as possible, it will help you develop a routine and it will allow your students to progress more quickly and smoothly...

Be encouraging (but honest) with your students, they are looking to you for feedback on their progress, give them short term goals to work towards...

Most importantly, relax, be yourself and enjoy the flying... It is some of the most fun, rewarding flying you will do... You WILL learn more being a CFI than you did during ALL of your own flight training... It is an EXCELLENT experience and will make you a much better pilot overall if you put in the required effort...

Good Luck!

 

[jaxpilot]

Great post, Falcon Capt. I've had my ticket for a little over a year and Ive only done a little freelance with an aircraft owner. I just started my first CFI job at a flight school and im looking forward to my confidence building up after I get a few hundred hours there.

 

[tataki]

thanks for the posts guys.

 

[JAFI]

Your students absorb information is small bites and much slower than you speak. Give them small bits of information and allow them time to understand what you have said before you move on to the next point. How fast depends on each student.

Prepare, prepare, prepare for each lesson. Lesson plans are a great way to already have planned out each lesson. Gather source information to use in your pre brief and debrief. Both are very importand - do not rush through a briefing session.

Pilots and mechanics are VISUAL people, we like pictures and diagrams to help us understand.

Watch your students. When you least expect it one will try to kill you. ALWAYS keep a safety margin in every maneuver. And always leave your self an "OUT". Low, slow, and out of Ideas will kill you.

You may be an Instructor but never quit being a student. You can learn from many situations. Keep your eyes and ears open.

Make the lesson enjoyable. Students learn better from a positive experience.

Good luck

JAFI